Amazing Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders

Updated on May 10, 2010

Droll Yankee bird feeders

Are you into bird watching? If so, you know that a great way to attract birds to your yard is by placing a few bird feeders around. When it comes to birds and bird feeders, if you fill it, they will come! And it doesn’t take our little feathered friends long to get the word out about the new self-serve diners, either. I’ve always wondered…how do they know?

One problem with having bird feeders in your yard, however, is the local squirrel population. This is especially troublesome in suburban areas, where the squirrels have lost much of their natural fear of humans. If and when you put up a bird feeder, rest assured that the squirrels will be frequent visitors. In fact, they might be the first ones to show up!

I have nothing against squirrels, and I actually find them pretty cute. We put food out for them sometimes, but they’re a real pest when it comes to bird feeders. I’ve watched squirrels eating from our bird feeders. They’re very wasteful. Sometimes they’ll take their little “hands” and rake out all the seeds from the feeders, spilling the feed onto the ground. I think if the bushy-tailed rodents just ate a little and left, we wouldn’t be referring to them as a problem!

The funny think is that man has been working on squirrel-proof bird feeders for decades, if not longer. Few designs have been successful. Even feeders that gave the squirrels an electrical shock did not deter the food thieves from their errand. It’s pretty amazing how smart squirrels are at figuring out how to get around all kinds of obstacles in their quest for a free meal or two.

So what’s the answer? The new squirrel-proof bird feeders made by Droll Yankee that have a unique design to thwart the rodents in their pillaging. These squirrel-proof bird feeders allow several birds to feed at the same time, but when a squirrel, which is heavier, tries to eat, it’s flipped or spun off. The feeders are too big in diameter for a squirrel to wrap its legs around, and it's too long for the squirrel to stretch from the top of the feeder to the feeding holes. These bird feeders are amazing to watch in action! See the two short videos below to get an idea about how the Droll Yankee bird feeders work!

The Droll Yankee squirrel-proof feeders are extremely sturdy and well made, and they'll last for years! Just think about all the money you'll save in wild bird food, plus, these feeders won't have to replaced every couple of years like some of the inferior types of bird feeders. Also, most of the squirrel-proof bird feeders allow several birds to eat at the same time, and the feeder holes are spaced just the right distance apart so that shy bird species won't be nervous about eating when larger or more agressive birds like jays are at the feeder.

Squirrel proof bird feeder.

Placing your squirrel proof bird feeder

Most people interested in feeding the birds do it for two reasons: to benefit the birds and to provide entertainment for themselves! Birds are fun to watch, and it's very relaxing. Keeping this in mind, you want to place your feeder where you have a good view of all the action from a comfortable spot. In nice weather, this vantage point might be an outdoor living area like a deck. In the winter, however, you might want to be able to see the birds feeding from your squirrel-proof bird feeder from the comfort of your breakfast table.

It's also important to keep the birds' safety in mind. Don't put the feeder too low to the ground where cats would have easy access to birds. By placing a bird bath or other water source - along with nesting materials - near the bird feeders, you'll create sort of a one-stop-shopping station for wild birds.

Buy a squirrel-proof bird feeder online!

In some areas, the Droll Yankee bird feeders are difficult to find. One of our local stores carries them, but they always seem to be sold out. Now you can buy a squirrel-proof bird feeder online, without having to leave the comfort of your own home!

Check out the deals below on Droll Yankee bird feeders. Be sure to read all the specifications so you'll understand how well these items are made!

Comments 50 comments

I saw this on Martha Stewart and I love the concept. It doesn't hurt the squirrels, it just keeps them from stealing the birds food.

kowality 6 years ago from Everywhere

They are little piggies, that's for sure. You can go through a 10lb. bag in no time. Great Hub Habee.

katiem2 6 years ago from I'm outta here

Oh boy habee do I ever have squirrels, I've tried to feed them enough so that they leave the birds food alone, but OH NO! I appreciate you helpful review of squirrel proof bird feeders and I'm sure all the birds will as well. thanks and peace :)

suziecat7 6 years ago from Asheville, NC

Droll really does have the best bird feeders.

Sandyspider 6 years ago from Wisconsin, USA

We have a community of squirrel in our backyard. It is good to know there is squirrel proof bird feeders.

Hello, hello, 6 years ago from London, UK

You couldn't have picked a worst subject. I love birds and we had so many but since that damm squirrel came, I fighting a war and a loosing battle. The problem also is that these squirrel-proof feeders are too expensive for me.

Spider Girl 6 years ago from the Web

Any recommendations for 'Cat-proof' Bird-feeder?

mulberry1 6 years ago

We don't have too many squirrels here. We have cats that love to patrol the yard which has caused the squirrels to make themselves scarce. They catch a bird once in awhile but mostly the birds don't have a problem with them. I think the feeders wouldn't be accessible to the cats either, so they would probably be a good choice in my yard too.

Micky Dee 6 years ago

Right now I'm feeding both the squirrels and birds. I should get a feeder to keep more birds fed though. Thanks Habee!

De Greek 6 years ago from UK

Ah... THOSE kind of birds... no...

Hi Habee, just teasing you a little :-)

billyaustindillon 6 years ago

Habee this is exactly what we need at home - I have tried a few things but still the little varmets eat it all - will definitely give these ideas a whirl.

JenDobson27 6 years ago

Those squirrels can sure be a nuisance! Thanks for sharing.

viryabo 6 years ago

Fantastic.

I have been thinking of ways to attract birds to my garden. All i thought i needed was a bird bath, and i've been thinking of which type to have.

Now i know i should start off with the bird feeders. Luckily we have no squirrels, though i absolutely love their looks, so i'm definitely working on this.

Great hub habee. Thanks for this.

xcubist 6 years ago

Excellent, that first video of the little bugger hanging on for dear life for nearly 30 seconds is hilarious!! I bet he sure was dizzy when he finally decided to drop off. Those are some sweet bird feeders.

quildon 6 years ago from Florida

I love this hub, habee. Great information

breakfastpop 6 years ago

Thanks for the answer to a very annoying problem.

akirchner 6 years ago from Central Oregon

Great info! We had so many squirrels back up in the Tacoma area we had to invest in all of these kinds of expensive feeders...that is until we attracted rats with the birdseed, and then it all went away. Here we don't have squirrels (much to my dogs' delight no doubt) but they do in Sunriver and other parts of Central Oregon. But those feeders really DO work!

prettydarkhorse 6 years ago from US

this is complete and great information habee, Maita

theherbivorehippi 6 years ago from Holly, MI

This is a fabulous idea! I need a bird feeder that is too high for the dogs to get to and low enough for me to reach! I have many families of squirrels living in my yard! This could really come in handy!

nancy_30 6 years ago from Georgia

Great hub Habee. I bought my mom one of these bird feeders last year for her birthday. She loves it. She has about ten bird feeders all around her yard. I love to watch the birds when i'm at her house. Now I need to get me one of these. A squirrel broke the last bird feeder I had.

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

Thanks, zzron!

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

Veronica, thanks for the visit, my friend!

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

for real, Johnny! How can a squirrel eat so much??

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

Katie, I think squirrels are like my grandsons - they never get full!

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

I agree, Suzie - Droll Yankee bird feeders are the best!

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

Sandy, we are "blessed" with LOTS of sqirrels!

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

HH, did you see the one for under $18? The squirrel proof bird feeders are def worth the price!

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

Spider girl, a wide collar around the pole will stop cats!

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

Mulberry, I think you're right - the squirrel proof bird feeders would also be cat proof!

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

Hi, Mickey! We feed all kinds of critters!

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

De Greek, you berry, berry funny mahn!

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

Billy, glad you stopped by for a read!

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

Jen, yes they can, but they are cute!

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

viryabo, I love watching birds and squirrels - any animals, in fact. But the squirrels can be a real problem with the bird feeders!

Howdy, Audrey! We live in a suburb and have squirrels, foxes, possums, raccoons, feral cats, and the occasional snake!

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

Thank you, dear Maita!

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

Herbi, we have "squirrel high-rise condos" in all our trees!

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

Those naughty squirrels! We have 'em, too, Nancy!

ethel smith 6 years ago from Kingston-Upon-Hull

We never get squirrels and no where near as many birds these days. I have a few feeders out and love to see the birds having fun

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

what happened to the squirrels, Ethel??

akirchner 6 years ago from Central Oregon

Oh no - you went the snake word again - shuddering, shuddering, crossing myself (and I'm not even Catholic) - seriously in Puyallup WA we had tons of squirrels - it was our malamute exercise arena without leaving home! Unfortunately they probably might have gotten one although I doubt it - the squirrels in our area were highly educated. We had many dogs before the mals though and it was always a source of entertainment. The problem was for us eventually that the mals would just rip the boards off the fence and go in SEARCH of said squirrels - that was not cool. I love squirrels but I am actually happy we don't have them here...although rats and possums and even DEER come and just destroyed the bird feeders. We live in 'da wilderness' me thinks so decided to quit bird feeding because we live on the wetlands and once our dogs got out there....yikes. We still bird watch - hard not to because we have eagles, osprey, all species of hawks right behind our house, blue herons, etc. We just don't put up feeders anymore but I do miss it! Rambling Rose signing off now....

habee 6 years ago from Georgia Author

Audrey, our Akitas were notirious for chasing squirrels and anything else that moved, so I understand where you're coming from! Sounds like you live in an awesome lacale.

Pamela99 6 years ago from United States

Habee, I have always had bird feeders and those are some nice ones. Good hub.